UN climate talks begin

Climate experts from more than 100 countries opened a week-long UN conference in Vienna, Austria, today, seeking tougher commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions and turn the tide on global warming.

Yvo de Boer, the UN’s top climate official, pointed to the European Union’s recent goal of reducing emissions by 20% by 2020 – and by another 10% if other nations join in – as an example of what can be done.

“That’s exactly the kind of thing that developing countries are looking for from rich countries,” he said.

More than 1,000 delegates were gathering in the Austrian capital for talks aimed at advising nations, corporations, bankers and public institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, how to make the most of their energy investments.